T. H. McCleary, Centralia Pioneer, Dies
Thos. H. McCleary, who held the office of postmaster at Centralia during the two terms of President Woodrow Wilson, and was one of Lewis county's best known and respected democrats, died at the family home on south Tower avenue Friday evening. He had been bedfast the past six weeks, though having suffered a stroke last Christmas time. Mr. McCleary was 83 years of age and had lived in Centralia over forty years, arriving here in March, 1890. He was born at Sharon, Penn., May 11, 1848, and he was the last surviving member of family in which there were eight children. He was married May 14 1886 at Keokuk, Iowa, to Olive E. Black, who, with an only son, Perry McCleary, and a granddaughter, survives him. Another son, Paul McCleary, died in 1896 at the age of three years. Previous to coming to the northwest, Mr. McCleary taught school for a time at Atchison, Kans.
During his residence at Centralia, Mr. McCleary had taken an active interest in public affairs and he had a wide circle of friends. He was president of the West Coast Savings & Loan Association of Centralia and had been engaged in the real estate and insurance business there longer than any other man in that business. Mr. McCleary was at all times active in the First Christian church, being for years past an elder in the local organization. He was a member of Centralia Lodge No. 1083 B. P. O. Elks; also of the Centralia Kiwanis club.
An unusually large attendance was present at Mr. McCleary's funeral, which was held Sunday afternoon at the Centralia Christian church. Rev. Marion A. McQuary officiated, assisted by Rev. C. H. Lorimer of Olympia, a former local pastor. Special music was rendered by a mixed quartette. Burial was in Washington Lawn cemetery. Geo. C. Ellsbury, Albert Smith and Geo. L. Barner were honorary pall bearers from the Centralia Elks lodge; Charles Watson and J. W. Logan, from the Christian church; A. D. Purvis, Dr. J. H. Whisler and W. F. Kelling from the Centralia Kiwanis club. The active pall bearers were elders of the Christian church, J. C. Kriebel, Frank Watson, E. E. Copley, John Bullion, B. B. Todd and Lee Proffitt. The Fissel Funeral Home directed the funeral.
Source: The Chehalis Bee-Nugget, 23 October 1931, page 6. Microfilm available at Washington State Library, 6880 Capitol Boulevard South, Tumwater, WA. 98512
Transcribed by Kathryn Lester. She has no further information on this individual.